Candido Da Rocha facts for kids

Candido Joao Da Rocha (born 1860 – died March 11, 1959) was a very successful Nigerian businessman and landowner. He owned the famous Water House on Kakawa Street in Lagos Island, Lagos, and also ran the Bonanza Hotel. He held an important traditional title called the Lodifi of Ilesa.

Early Life and Family History

Candido Da Rocha was born in the Bahia region of Brazil. His family belonged to the Ijesha ethnic group. His father, Joao Esan Da Rocha, had been captured as a slave when he was only 10 years old, around 1840. Later, his father became free.

Candido had a brother named Moses Da Rocha, who became one of Nigeria's first Western-trained doctors.

Education and Important Friends

Candido went to CMS Grammar School, Lagos. This was a very good school at the time. While there, he was classmates with other important people like Isaac Oluwole and Herbert Macaulay.

This picture shows Joao Esan (left) and a young Candido with his mother, Angelica (right).

Business Ventures and Famous Home

Candido lived in the Water House on Kakawa Street in Lagos. His father had built this special house. It was famous because it had a borehole, which is like a deep well, and the very first water fountain on Lagos Island! People would even buy water from his house.

He had many business interests. He owned a restaurant called The Restaurant Da Rocha. He also had a share in a company called Sierra Leone Deep Sea Fishing Industries Ltd. Candido worked with other Lagos businessmen, J. H. Doherty and Sedu Williams, to start a bank called the Lagos Native Bank. This bank helped people borrow money.

Fighting for Rights and Legacy

Candido Da Rocha was also a founding member of a group in Lagos that worked to fight against slavery and protect the rights of native people. This group was called the Anti Slavery and Aborigines Right Society. Important leaders like James Johnson, Samuel Pearse, and Sapara Williams were also members.

Candido Da Rocha passed away in 1959 and was buried at Ikoyi Cemetery. He had several children, including Alexander Da Rocha, Adenike Afodu, Angelica Folashade Thomas, and Louissa Turton. His family home, the Water House, was even featured in a novel called The Water House by Antonio Olinto.